IV.
We start off with, “Now faith is ….”

We could think we are going to get the “end all” definition of “faith.” But as the passage develops it appears something else may be at work.

Maybe we need to notice the “examples” of faith-full people the writer puts before us.

Read the passage and focus on the folk mentioned. What might they demonstrate about faith-ful-ness?

V.
Hebrews 11:1-8

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain’s. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and “he was not found, because God had taken him.” For it was attested before he was taken away that “he had pleased God.” And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:13-16

All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

VI.
The writer of Hebrews went to the history of his nation to find individuals that for them exemplified faith-full-ness.

Take a few moments (or more) and go to your own history and let your mind and spirit recall folk who modeled for you faith-full-ness.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}